Black Arts Mke, Inc.
Black Arts MKE, Inc. is a Milwaukee 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that produces African American theater, youth arts education, and community outreach programs serving 15,000+ youth and families annually, with grant-funded operating budget averaging $709.8K.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersMilwaukee, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Black Arts Mke, Inc. does
Black Arts MKE, Inc. is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 2014 to increase the availability and quality of African American arts and culture in southeastern Wisconsin. The organization operates as both a producer and presenter, anchored by a Resident Group position at the Marcus Performing Arts Center (headquartered at 929 North Water Street) and operating across multiple Milwaukee venues including Marquette University, the Wisconsin Black Historical Society & Museum, and community sites such as The Table at Alice's Garden. Its programming spans annual theatrical productions (Black Nativity by Langston Hughes running 9+ years, and the MKE Black Theatre Festival), in-school arts residencies and student matinees, the I AM. Youth Performing Arts Summer Camp, the I AM. Masterclass series, and a Career Development internship program operated in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.
The organization supports a roster of 125+ local artists of color (paying $273K in 1099 wages in 2023) through two resident companies, Bronzeville Arts Ensemble (founded 2013) and Nobleman Theater Troupe, plus individual playwrights, musicians, dancers, and teaching artists. Programming reaches 15,000+ youth and families annually across 11 MKE Aldermanic districts and 14 zip codes, delivers 5,000+ hours of arts education and outreach, and serves 3,000+ students through free Black Nativity matinees annually. Educational partners include Milwaukee Public Schools (with after-school residencies and the MPS Black & Latino Male Achievement youth program), Montessori schools, MKE REC, and Bright Star Touring Theatre.
Revenue is grant- and donation-driven rather than commercial, with a three-year average operating budget of $709.8K. The funding mix is approximately 42% foundation grants, 29-31% corporate sponsorships, 16-18% government grants, and 9-13% individual donations. Anchor supporters include Bader Philanthropies, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, We Energies Foundation, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Johnson Controls, the Herzfeld Foundation, and the Harri Hoffman Family Foundation. Recent national-level grants include $150K from The Black Seed (2021), $100K from the NEA American Rescue Plan (2022), a TCG THRIVE! RESPOND grant (2022), and $50K from the Ruth Foundation for the Arts (2023). The organization is also a UPAF Member Group since 2020. A 2024 partnership with developer FIT Investment Group will add a dedicated 175-seat black box theater through the Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub development, representing the organization's first major capital expansion.
Black Arts Mke, Inc. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Black Arts Mke, Inc.
- Legal name
- Black Arts MKE, Inc.
- Website
- https://blackartsmke.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Black Arts MKE, Inc. is a Milwaukee 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2014 that produces African American theater, youth arts education, and community outreach programs serving 15,000+ youth and families annually, with grant-funded operating budget averaging $709.8K.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Black Arts Mke, Inc. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts Services
- NAICS
- Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Fine Arts Schools (61161), Fine Arts Schools (611610)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music) (BPAGAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater) (EDAMAAAG), Performing Arts Camps (Theater, Musical Theater, Dance) (EDAMALAI), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE), Performing Arts (Acting, Improv, Theater) (EDAAAGAE)
Keywords
Where Black Arts Mke, Inc. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Milwaukee
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Black Arts Mke, Inc. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Foundation Grants: Primary funding source representing 42% of revenue. Includes grants from organizations like Bader Philanthropies, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Herzfeld Foundation, Harri Hoffman Family Foundation, Ruth Foundation for the Arts, and The Black Seed national initiative.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate funding represents 29-31% of revenue. Includes support from companies like Harley-Davidson Motor Company, We Energies Foundation, Johnson Controls, and others.
- Government Funding: Government grants represent 16-18% of revenue. Includes NEA American Rescue Plan grants and other public funding.
- Individual Donations: Individual donor contributions represent 9-13% of revenue. Includes major donor support from individuals like Cory L. and Michelle S. Nettles, Jacqueline and Michael Barber, Steven and Sarah Zimmerman, and Astor Street Foundation.
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticketed performances including full-production plays and the annual Black Nativity holiday show. Student matinees are provided free of charge.
- UPAF Membership: United Performing Arts Fund membership provides annual grant support as a member organization.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Black Arts Mke, Inc. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Black Arts MKE produces and presents theatrical works centered on the African American experience and operates youth arts education and community outreach programs. The organization mounts annual productions such as Black Nativity and the MKE Black Theatre Festival, supports resident theater companies (Bronzeville Arts Ensemble and Nobleman Theater Troupe), and delivers after-school residencies, summer camps, masterclasses, and career development programs to youth in underserved Milwaukee neighborhoods.
Product overview
Black Arts MKE is a nonprofit performing arts organization offering a platform of culturally relevant arts programming. The core offerings include annual theatrical productions (Black Nativity, MKE Black Theatre Festival), youth education programs (I AM. Youth Performing Arts Summer Camp, I AM. Masterclass, Career Development Program), and resident theater groups (Bronzeville Arts Ensemble, Nobleman Theater Troupe). The organization serves youth and families through outreach programs, performing arts residencies in schools, and career development opportunities. These programs work together to increase availability and quality of African American arts and culture while providing employment and visibility for artists of color.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MKE Black Theatre Festival: Annual celebration of Black arts and culture featuring full productions, staged readings, youth events, and masterclasses across Milwaukee venues
- Nobleman Theater Troupe
- I AM. Youth Performing Arts Summer Camp
- I AM. Masterclass
- Black Nativity
Quantifiable outcome
- 15,000+ youth and families served annually
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Black Arts Mke, Inc.
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Black Arts Mke, Inc. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Black Arts Mke, Inc. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.
- FIT Investment GroupmajorDeveloper Michael Adetora of FIT Investment Group is developing the Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub, a mixed-use complex including a two-story black box theater for Black Arts MKE with capacity for up to 175 people. This represents a major expansion of the organization's physical presence.
- Wisconsin Conservatory of MusicminorPartner tenant in the proposed Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub development, filling commercial space alongside Black Arts MKE to grow business, technical, and artistic skills of youth and adults.
- Beyond STEMminorPartner tenant in the proposed Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub development, intended to grow youth and adult skills in business, technical, and artistic areas.
- 2112minorChicago-based operator of arts-centric coworking spaces partnering with Black Arts MKE in the Bronzeville Creative Arts & Tech Hub development.
- Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Epsilon Kappa Omega ChaptermajorCollaboration on I AM. Masterclass series exposing local youth to professional performing artists. Sponsored a week-long dance masterclass with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater principal dancer James Gilmer. 100 local MPS students attended the Alvin Ailey performance at Marcus Center.
- United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF)coreUPAF is a regional arts funding organization. Black Arts MKE was approved as a Member Group in 2020, joining 13 other premiere performing arts organizations. Previously received annual grants through the Affiliate Program since 2014. UPAF provides marketing support, funding, and promotion for member organizations.
- Marcus Performing Arts CentercoreBlack Arts MKE is a Resident Group at Marcus Performing Arts Center, headquartered at 929 North Water Street. The organization presents productions in Wilson Theater at Vogel Hall, Todd Wehr Theater, Studio 4A, and Peck Pavilion. This partnership provides prime venue access and institutional legitimacy.
- Milwaukee Public SchoolscoreMajor educational partner for after-school arts residencies and student matinee performances. Over 1,000 elementary and middle school students attend free Black Nativity performances annually through MPS partnerships.
- Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater MilwaukeecorePartnership providing summer internship opportunities for talented young artists and future business professionals. Youth earn wages while gaining resume-worthy experience.
- Wisconsin Black Historical Society & MuseumminorVenue partner for MKE Black Theatre Festival events and performances, including the upcoming Vel & Groppi production.
- Marquette UniversityminorUniversity venue partner for MKE Black Theatre Festival performances and events.
- The Table at Alice's GardenminorCommunity venue partner for MKE Black Theatre Festival Youth and Family Night events.
- Bright Star Touring TheatreminorStrategic youth-serving program partner listed on outreach partnerships page.
- MKE REC (Milwaukee Recreation)minorPartnership for the Arts and Humanities, supporting youth programming and performing arts initiatives.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Black Arts Mke, Inc. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- National Black Theatre: NYC-based nonprofit theater dedicated to producing theater by and about the Black experience, with a parallel mission of artist development and community engagement. Most direct mission and operating model peer to Black Arts MKE.
- ETA Creative Arts Foundation: Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the African diaspora through theater and the performing arts. Comparable mid-size Black-focused performing arts organization with educational programming.
- Junebug Productions: New Orleans-based nonprofit rooted in the Free Southern Theater tradition, producing theater that addresses African American experience and providing artist development. Similar combination of professional productions and community-rooted programs.
- Penumbra Theatre Company: St. Paul, MN nonprofit theater company with a 45+ year history of producing work illuminating the Black American experience, including strong youth and community programming. Highly comparable mission and Midwest operating context.
- Congo Square Theatre Company: Chicago-based nonprofit theater dedicated to producing work that speaks to the African American experience. Comparable scale and mission; peer in the regional Black theater ecosystem.
Regional players
- First Stage: Milwaukee-based nonprofit children's theater and academy serving youth through productions, classes, and outreach. Strong overlap on youth performing arts education mission within the same local market.
- Milwaukee Repertory Theater: Milwaukee's largest nonprofit regional theater, also producing at the Marcus Performing Arts Center complex. Largest local peer for both audience and donor overlap.
Broad incumbents
- Steppenwolf Theatre Company: Chicago-based nonprofit regional theater with deep commitment to diverse voices and new work development. Broad incumbent peer in the regional nonprofit theater space.
- Alliance Theatre: Atlanta-based major regional theater with national reach and extensive education programming. Comparable focus on community-rooted programming and artist development at larger scale.
- Goodman Theatre: Chicago-based major nonprofit regional theater with educational and community engagement programming. Larger established peer with overlapping education/outreach mission.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Black Arts Mke, Inc. social profiles
Digital presenceBlack Arts Mke, Inc. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Black Arts Mke, Inc. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Black Arts Mke, Inc. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Black Arts Mke, Inc. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Black Arts Mke, Inc. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Black Arts Mke, Inc.
What does Black Arts Mke, Inc. do?
Black Arts MKE produces and presents theatrical works centered on the African American experience and operates youth arts education and community outreach programs. The organization mounts annual productions such as Black Nativity and the MKE Black Theatre Festival, supports resident theater companies (Bronzeville Arts Ensemble and Nobleman Theater Troupe), and delivers after-school residencies, summer camps, masterclasses, and career development programs to youth in underserved Milwaukee neighborhoods.
Is Black Arts Mke, Inc. a public or private company?
Black Arts Mke, Inc. is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Black Arts Mke, Inc. founded?
Black Arts Mke, Inc. was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Black Arts Mke, Inc. based?
Black Arts Mke, Inc. is headquartered in Milwaukee, United States, in the North America region.
How does Black Arts Mke, Inc. make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Foundation Grants are the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships, government Funding, individual Donations, ticket Sales and UPAF Membership.
Who are Black Arts Mke, Inc.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are National Black Theatre, ETA Creative Arts Foundation, Junebug Productions, Penumbra Theatre Company and Congo Square Theatre Company. Regional players are First Stage and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Broad incumbents are Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Alliance Theatre and Goodman Theatre.
Does Black Arts Mke, Inc. have an API?
No public API is recorded for Black Arts Mke, Inc..
What industry is Black Arts Mke, Inc. in?
Black Arts Mke, Inc.'s product category is Performing Arts Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAHAB, Performing Arts Organizations (Theater, Dance, Opera, Music), with a secondary code of EDAMAAAG, Theater & Drama Education (Acting, Improvisation, Musical Theater). Its NAICS code is 711110 and its SIC code is 7900.